Ian McDiarmid Defends Palpatine's Return in 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'

"Somehow, Palpatine returned." This line from The Rise of Skywalker has become a meme that encapsulates the controversial return of Emperor Palpatine, sparking significant debate among Star Wars fans. Many were unhappy with his clone-driven revival following his supposed demise in Return of the Jedi. However, Ian McDiarmid, who has portrayed Palpatine for over four decades, remains unfazed by the criticism.

In a recent interview with Variety, coinciding with the successful re-release of Revenge of the Sith in theaters, McDiarmid addressed the backlash. "Mine and Palpatine’s logic was entirely reasonable," he asserted. He elaborated on Palpatine's foresight, suggesting that the character always had a backup plan. "It seemed entirely probable that Palpatine had plan B," McDiarmid explained. He also enjoyed the unique filming experience, mentioning the "astral wheelchair" and the fun of being moved around by four assistants. The new makeup, which he described as "even more grotesque," added to the character's menacing return.

Regarding the fan reaction, McDiarmid commented, "Well, there’s always something, isn’t there? I don’t read that stuff and I’m not online. So it’ll only reach me if someone mentions it." He acknowledged the potential for controversy but stood by the creative decision. "I thought there might be a bit of a fuss about bringing him back. But as I said, mine and Palpatine’s logic was entirely reasonable. This man who was horribly maimed thought maybe one day it might happen to him, and we’ve got to have a plan B. I loved the whole idea that he should come back and be even more powerful than he was before. Though this time, he had to be utterly destroyed. So I think he’s dead."

The Rise of Skywalker provides a somewhat ambiguous explanation of Palpatine's return. When Kylo Ren encounters him, Palpatine appears as a reanimated version of himself, suggesting he did not survive his fall in Return of the Jedi. Instead, his return is attributed to ancient Sith magic, as Palpatine himself hints with the line, "The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities that some would consider to be... unnatural."

Despite the explanation, many fans remain unconvinced and would prefer to overlook Palpatine's return. The future of the Star Wars saga remains uncertain in this regard, but new projects are on the horizon. Daisy Ridley, who played Rey Skywalker, is set to return in multiple upcoming films, including a sequel directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. This film will explore Rey's efforts to rebuild the Jedi Order 15 years after the events of The Rise of Skywalker.

For those interested in the future of the Star Wars universe, here is a glimpse of the upcoming movies and TV shows:

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